Who is the highest paid AFL player?
AFL footy isn’t just about snagging a few sausage rolls or party pies and getting stuck into four quarters of chaos. At the elite level, it’s a serious business and jeez business is booming. As the competition grows, so do the contracts. Big names land even bigger dollars, long-term deals become the norm, and the million-dollar club expands every season.
If you’ve ever wondered who the highest paid AFL player is, how much the biggest stars take home, or who holds the richest deals in league history, the team at Joe Fortune has broken it all down for you. Here’s the 2025 rich list plus a look back at the all-timers and answers to the AFL salary questions fans ask the most.
Highest paid AFL players of the 2025 season
The highest-paid AFL player in 2025 is Tom Lynch, earning an estimated $1.5 million in the final heavy back-end stage of his mega-deal with Richmond. Signed in 2018, the contract always had a massive payout built into its later years and 2025 is the peak. AFL contracts can get messy: incentives, match payments, clauses, front-loading, back-loading, you name it. So, while these numbers are estimates, they give a strong idea of where each player sits in the pecking order. Below is a full list of top 20 highest paid AFL players for 2025, in our best estimated ranking order, with the number one being the highest paid and short player summary.
Top 20 Highest Paid AFL Players: 2025 Season
(All figures are approximate and in Aussie Dollars)
1. Tom Lynch (Richmond Tigers) $1.45M to $1.55M
Veteran Lynch is nearing the end of his big contract. Tigers now have had salary flexibility given that he finished in 2025.
2. Clayton Oliver (Melbourne Demons) $1.2M to $1.3M
Oliver is back after missing games a couple of seasons ago. A key part of Melbourne’s midfield alongside Petracca in 2025.
3. Christian Petracca (Melbourne Demons) $1.2M to $1.3M
Petracca returns from a major injury. Has switched to the Suns for the 2026 season.
4. Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans) $1.2M to $1.3M
Swans’ young gun Gulden missed time in 2025 but remains one of the league’s best left-footers.
5. Shai Bolton (Fremantle Dockers) $1.1M to $1.2M
Bolton moved from Tigers to Fremantle in the rebuild. Plays a key role in Dockers’ finals push.
6. Tim Kelly (West Coast Eagles) $1.1M to $1.2M
Kelly remains an impactful midfielder, but West Coast has struggled to reach consistency.
7. Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide Power) $1.05M to $1.15M
Rozee is a talented midfielder locked in until 2032, expected to lead Port for years.
8. Brodie Grundy (Sydney Swans) $1M to $1.1M
Experienced ruckman Grundy helps Swans with veteran presence and depth in the ruck.
9. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) — $1M to $1.1M
Bulldogs captain Bontempelli carries the team and remains one of the best midfielders.
10. Nick Daicos (Collingwood Magpies) — $1M to $1.1M
Daicos continues to shine at Collingwood, already a standout midfielder at a young age.
11. Jacob Weitering (Carlton Blues) — $1M to $1.1M
Weitering is a defensive rock for Carlton and committed long-term despite other offers.
12. Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs) — $1M to $1.1M
Explosive forward Naughton is crucial for Bulldogs, though consistency has been questioned.
13. Patrick Cripps (Carlton Blues) — $1M to $1.1M
Captain Cripps drives Carlton’s midfield and keeps the team competitive each season.
14. Tim English (Western Bulldogs) — $1M to $1.1M
English is a versatile ruckman key to Bulldogs’ fast and high-scoring game plan.
15. Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans) — $1M to $1.1M
Heeney is a top performer, now excelling in a new position for Sydney’s lineup.
16. Zach Merrett (Essendon Bombers) — $950K to $1.05M
Merrett remains a standout in a struggling Bombers team and leads as captain.
17. Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats) — $950K to $1.05M
Having moved from the Giants, Cameron continues as a key forward for the Cats’ scoring.
18. Ben King (Gold Coast Suns) — $950K to $1.05M
King is a towering forward on a short-term deal and a key part of the Suns’ attack.
19. Darcy Moore (Collingwood Magpies) — $950K to $1.05M
Moore leads Collingwood as captain and remains a top-paid player despite some recent struggles.
20. Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions) — $950K to $1.05M
McCluggage is one of the highest-paid players for Brisbane after a long-term deal.
Highest paid AFL players of all time
When talking all-time cash, there are two ways to measure it:
- Peak annual salary
- Total contract value over time
Either way, the AFL has seen some enormous deals and one name still towers over the rest for now but that looks set to change in the coming year or two…
1. Lance “Buddy” Franklin – Sydney Swans
Nine-year, circa $10M deal | Peak $1.5M. Buddy’s seismic 2013 contract remains unmatched for cultural and financial impact.
2. Ben McKay – Essendon Bombers
Six-year front-loaded deal | First year $1.5M. Essendon’s mega-offer immediately put him among the biggest earners in league history.
3. Tom Lynch – Richmond Tigers
Peak $1.5M. The back end of his deal elevated Lynch into AFL salary legend.
4. Dustin Martin – Richmond Tigers
Peak $1.35M. After his iconic 2017 season, Dusty signed one of the richest deals ever.
5. Jeremy McGovern – West Coast Eagles
Peak $1.25M. At his peak, McGovern was the most valuable defender in the comp — and paid like it.
FAQs
Which AFL players currently earn over $1 million?
In 2025, at least 15 players crack the million-dollar mark, including:
- Tom Lynch
- Ben McKay
- Christian Petracca
- Clayton Oliver
- Marcus Bontempelli
- Shai Bolton
- Tim Kelly
- Connor Rozee
- Brodie Grundy
- Aaron Naughton
- Patrick Cripps
- Isaac Heeney
- Zak Butters
- Ben King
The number is only set to rise as the cap continues climbing and the sport wants to continue to attract the best rising stars in the game.
Who is the $2 million AFL player?
The distinction of being the first AFL player to sign a contract reportedly averaging $2 million a season goes to Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera of the St Kilda Saints. He penned a two-year extension with the Saints in August 2025, keeping him at the club until at least the end of the 2027 season. The total value of the deal is said to be around $4 million.
The contract sets a new benchmark for annual salaries in AFL history, surpassing the top earnings of stars like Lance Franklin and Dustin Martin. Wanganeen-Milera, who was a breakout star in 2025, reportedly turned down a long-term offer from Port Adelaide to sign this record-breaking short-term deal with St Kilda.
Do AFL players earn more than NRL players?
In general, yes.
- Average AFL salary: $400,000
- Average NRL salary: $360,000
Why the gap?
- Bigger AFL salary cap
- Higher club revenues
- More stable competition funding
- Stronger long-term contract culture
The top NRL stars can still crack seven figures, but the AFL’s upper tier is larger and growing faster now.
Final Thoughts
From Buddy Franklin’s record-breaking nine-year megadeal to Tom Lynch’s back-ended payday and Ben McKay’s massive Bomber’s contract, AFL salaries have exploded over the past decade. The 2025 season highlights just how far things have come, more million-dollar players than ever, longer contracts, and the first $2M-per-season star on the horizon.
As the comp keeps growing, so will the price tags attached to its biggest names. And here at Joe Fortune, we’ll be watching closely to see who lands the next monster deal. With the rise of soccer in Australia, the growth of NRL and there is always the attraction of playing for the Wallabies, AFL clubs need to keep increasing the salary it offers to keep making the sport as good as it can be. These players aren’t going to be earning what soccer players get in the likes of the EPL, but they aren’t doing too badly for themselves, and their agents will be going alright too!